SAN FRANCISCO -- Two-time former MVP Steve Nash became only the fifth player in NBA history to notch 10,000 assists. The 38-year old point guard achieved the milestone Tuesday night at the Toyota Center in Houston where he threw ten assists that pushed his career total to 10,005.

The feat puts Nash in the company of four other prolific point guards -- Magic Johnson, John Stockton, Jason Kidd and Mark Jackson. But it was a bitter-sweet moment for the shifty Canadian, whose Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Houston Rockets, 125-112.

Nash, now in his 17th season, also had 16 points and four rebounds, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Lakers from suffering their fourth straight defeat. In serious danger of missing the playoffs, the Lakers dropped to a 15-19 slate and are 11th overall in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles took an early 14-point lead against Houston, but the Rockets fought back with a 38-point explosion in the third quarter. The blow was so severe the Lakers didn't recover.

Rocket James Harden tormented the Lakers with 31 points, six rebounds and nine assists while Jeremy Lin, not to be outdone, logged 19 points, six reobunds and six assists.

Metta World Peace led the Lakers with 24 while Kobe Bryant had a quiet 20.

The author (L) poses with Steve Nash during Nash and Lakers visit at the Warrior's home in Oakland, CA.